Top leaders step up efforts to assuage public anger over latest drug scandal

BEIJING—China’s leadership stepped up efforts to assuage public anger over a vaccine scandal, dismissing a provincial vice governor and ordering an investigation into a former senior drug regulator.

President Xi Jinping headed a meeting Thursday of the Communist Party’s seven-member leadership to discuss government responses to the scandal, including the punishment of more than 40 officials, such as with forced resignations and censure, state media said.